The artwork “Head of a Girl” is a creation of the eminent artist Leonardo da Vinci, crafted circa 1483 during his time in Milan, Italy. Leonardo utilized media such as metalpoint, paper, and silverpoint to produce this work, which is characteristic of the Early Renaissance movement. The dimensions of this piece measure approximately 18.1 by 15.9 centimeters. Classified as a sketch and study, it is housed in the Palazzo Reale di Torino, located in Turin, Italy.
The artwork portrays the delicate features of a young girl, depicted in a three-quarter profile view. Her gaze is gentle and direct, engaging the viewer with subtly rendered eyes that exude a soulful quality, a hallmark of Leonardo’s skill in capturing human expression. The fine lines used to craft her visage and hair showcase Leonardo’s mastery of silverpoint technique, a medium that requires precision and does not permit easy corrections, thus reflecting the artist’s exceptional skill. The girl’s expression is serene, with a hint of a smile, reminiscent of the facial enigma Leonardo would later perfect in the Mona Lisa. Her hair flows with a naturalistic grace around her face, with soft curls adding to the overall tenderness of the draftsmanship. The anatomy of her neck and shoulders is suggested with swift, confident strokes, indicative of Leonardo’s deep understanding of human form and his tendencies to lay down anatomical studies.
This piece serves as both an artwork and an insight into Leonardo’s process, revealing how meticulously he studied the subtleties of human features which undoubtedly informed his more completed works. The restrained use of shading and the absence of color in this study focus the viewer’s attention on the purity of line and form, demonstrating the artist’s deliberate and considered approach to drawing.
